Automatic gas-shut-off mechanism



March 16 1926.

L. HILL AUTOMATIC GAS SHUT-OFF MECHANISM Filed Jan. 16, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jami: L

mvagwoa low; l/zll l/lfi ATTORNEY March 16 1926. 1,576,973-

L. HILL AUTOMATIC GAS SHUT-OFF MECHANISM Filed Jan. 16, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Zoza; Mild Wdm/kwi H15 ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 16, 19.2%.

UNETEE STATES PATENT OFFlE.

LOUIS HILL, 9F AKRON, OHIO.

AUTOMATIC G-AS-SHUT-OFF MECHANISM.

Application filed. January 16, 1324;. Serial No. 686,476.

lar purpose being to produce a device of this character suitable for use upon small gas burners, the arrangement of the parts being such that after the gas has been turned on by hand and lighted, it, through any ordinar accidental cause the gas flame is extinguished, as for instance by a sudden gust of wind, the flow of gas is immediately cut oil by automatic action of parts connected with the burner.

More particularly stated, my invention seeks to improve the efficiency of mechanism of the general type here contemplated, by incorporating therein a toothed wheel of im proved form, and Various movable parts coacting with said toothed wheel, looking toward refinement in controlling the movements of the valve used for automatically cutting off the flow of gas.

' Reference is made to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing one form of my device as applied to an ordinary gas burner, certain parts being broken. away, the relative positions of various movable parts being such that the flow of gas is shut off and the burner is cold.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the mechanism appearing in Figure 1 and with parts broken away, the movable parts occupying such positions as they should with the flowing and the burner hot.

Figure 3 is a detail oi the mechanism appearing in Figures 1 and 2, and shows in vertical section the toothed. wheel forming an important part ofmy device.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of another term of my device, parts being broken away, the mechanism being in such condition that the gas is shut oft and the burner cold.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the mechanism shown in Figure 4,

certain parts being broken away, the 1110*." able parts of the device being in such con-- dition that the gas is flowing and the burner is hot.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a toothed. wheel appearing in the form of my device shown in Figures i and 5.

A gas pipe 6 is provided with a hand valve 7 and with a burner 8. Enclosing this burner is a globe 9, of the usual or any de sired construction.

Located within the globe and secured thereto are a pair of thermostatic bars 10,

conveniently designated together as a thermostatio element. This theremostatic ele ment is in close proximity to the burner 8, soas to be readily heated thereby when burner is in action.

The thermostatic element is so constructed and arranged that when cold it extends slightly upward, as indicated in Figure 1, but when heated by the burner it bends slightly downward, as indicated in Figure 2.

The gas pipe 6 is provided with another valve 11, and connected with this valve is a chain arm 12, to which is connected :1 pendant chain 13. Integral with the chain arm 12 is an actuating arm 14. This actuating arm and the chain arm together constitute a bell crank lever.

A. tensile spring 15 is connected with the actuating arm 14:, and with a collar 16. This spring is always under tension and consequently is always pulling upon the actuating arm 14, so that this arm and the various parts immediately associated therewith occupy the respective positions indicated for them in Figure 1 whenever the burner is cold, or in other words whenever itnot actively in use.

Mounted upon the gas pipe 6, a point. just above the valve 11, is a collar 17 fixed in position. Above this collar is a sup porting disk 18, provided with a collar por tion 19 encircling the gas pipe. Located above the supporting disk and resting loosely 'upon the same is a toothed wheel 20. The teeth of this wheel each have an edge 20 extending radially outward from the axial cjenterof the wheel, and an edge 20 which is also straight but a little longer than the edge 20 and is oblique relatively to the axial center of the wheeh For convenience I, designate the edge 2O as radial,

tioned and so spaced apart at their outer ends that the actuating arm 1% can readily find its way in between them.

An interference arm 22, having in this instance substantially an inverted U-torn'i, is provided adjacent one of its ends with a hole 23, and extending through this hole is a portion of each of the thermostatic bars 10, as indicated more particularly in Figure 2. The interference arm 2:2 is jOdl111l( upon a collar 25, the latter being mounted upon the gas pipe 6, and thus held firmly in position.

A spring 25 is connected with the interference arm 22 and with the collar 25. The purpose o'i this spring is totake up any lost motion which n'iighi: otherwise develop between the thcrinostatic'bar 10 and the interference arm, and also to hold the interference arm steady and to add to its precision of movement in engaging and disengaging the teeth oi the wheel 20.

The ozeration of the form of my device zippearingi in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive may be readily understood from the :ioregoing description.

In order to light the gas, tlieoperator first actuates the hand valve 7 as is custon'iary with any hand valve used for turning; on gas. This done, the operator pulls the chain 13 downwardly, thus rocking the chain arm 12 and the actuating arm 1-4; slightly in a coiinter-clockwise direction according to Figure 1, and then lights the gas bv hand. The chain is held down by hand for a few moments after the is lighted, and is then released.

The burning gas now heats the thermostatic element and causes it to move from the position indicated for it in Figure 1 to that indicated for it in Figure 2, so that the in terference arm 22 is rocked slightly in a counter-clockwise direction, and brought into engagement with the teeth of the wheel 20, as indicated in Figure 2. This prevents the wheelQi) from turningso that when the chain 13 is released the actuating arm 14-, now controlled solely by the tension of spring; 15, rests against the slanting edge 20 of some one tooth of the wncel 20.

The apparatus remains in this condition so long as the gas continues to burn, or in other words so lon as the burner remains actively in use.

Suppose, now, that through some accidental cause the burner flame is eXtiinn uished, as for instance blown out by a sudden grist of wind. The thermostatic element cools oil", and in so doing moves from the position indicated rmit in Figure 2 to the one indi cated for it in Figure 3., and rocking the in teriierence arm 2 :2 back into the position indicated for it in Fiefur'e 1. 1 uses the 7 This re toothed wheel :20, so that this wheel no o g acids he a uating an 11%. The

arm ii and the chain arm 13 back into the positions indicated for them in Figure 1, so that the valve'll is actuated and cuts off the flow of gas.

'lhus although the burner is by hand placed in condition to be lighted, and is also lighted by hand, the closure of one gas valve is always entirely automatic.

When the operator is through using the burner and wishes to turn oil' the gas, the hand valve 7 is actuated for this purpose; but this is followed as above described by the automatic closure of the valve 11, under control of the thermostatic bar and various parts innnediat'ely associated therewith.

In the form of my device appearing in Figures 4 and 5 I use a pair of thermostatic bars 27, supported by theglobe 9, these be when cold appearing as shown in Figure .i. and when heated assun'iing the form incicated in Figure 5. I designate the pair of thermostatic bars as a thermostatic element. v

An interference arm 28 is jonrnaled upon a collar 29, and is provided with a hole 30, through which extends a reduced portion 3 of each of the thermostatic bar hen the thermostatic element is heated, the interference arm 28 turns in a clockwise direction according to Figure 4, so as to assume the position indicated for it in Figure 5, and when the thermostatic element is cooled, the interference arm rocks in a counter-clockwise direction according to these figures, and assumes the position indicated for it in Figure 4-.

The toothed wheel 20 is flat, and its teeth slant in a different direction than the teeth of the wheel 20 above describec. with reference to Figures 1 to 3 inclusive.

Located adjacent the toothed wheel 20 is an actuating arm and a chain arm 33, the actuating arm and chain arm being integral and together constituting a bell crank lever, connected with and used for actuating a valve 34. By means of a tensile spring 35, connected with the chain arm 33 and with the gas pipe, he bell crank lever has a tendency to maintain the normal position indicated for it in Figure i, and it does inaintain this position except when held by the toothed wheel 20.

A hand valve is shown at SS, and is mounted upon and controls a gas pipe 3'? through which the gas is supplied.

I The operation of the mechanism shown in Figures at and is very much like that of the mechanism a'ooie described with reter- (0 Figures 1 to 3 inclus've.

In oriler to lightthe galthe operator first actuatcs the hand valve 8'6. This done the chain arm is pulled down, thatthe actuating arm turns the toothed wheel :2 to a g t extent The chain arm. 3 i

ing held down for a few moments,the gas is lighted by hand. The thermostatic ele ment now becomesheated, and bends from the position indicated for it in Figure 4 to the one indicated for it in Figure 5. This rocks the interference arm 28 from the position indicated for it in Figure 4 to the one indicated for it in Figure 5, and causes it to engage and hold the toothed wheel 20. lVith the toothed wheel 20 thus held, the chain arm 33 can be released, and the burner will continue in action.

If, now, by means ofa gust of wind or the like the gas flame is ektinguished, the change in form of the thermostatic element, due to its cooling, rocks the interference arm 28 out of engagement with the toothed wheel 20, so that this wheel-releases the actuating arm 32. The spring 85 thereupon closes the valve 34:, and in so doing moves various movable parts into the normal positions indi-;

cated for them in Figure 4. It will be noted that in each form of my device the actuating arm, for the purpose of turning the toothed wheel, engages the radial edge (see 20, Figure 1) of one of the teeth, so as to insure a strong pull, by hand, against the radial edge; after the wheelQO is thus turned the actuating arm, under tension of its spring, rests gently against a slanting edge of one of the teeth, and is thus easy to dislodge from the wheel. It will also be noted that the interference arm, in engaging the toothed wheel 20 so as to prevent the same from turning under spring tension, is pressed against sidewise by the radial edge of one of the teeth. This insures a positive grip between the interference arm and the toothed wheel, so that the interference arm is not likely to slip and by so doing allow the gas to be out off prematurely.

I do not limit myself-to the precise mechanism shown, as variations may be made therein without departing from my inven tion, the scope of which is commensurate with my claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described the combination, with a. gas burner, a gas pipe leading to said burner, and a valve for controlling the flow of gas through said pipe to said burner, of a bell crank lever connected with said valve, a sp ing connected with said bell crank lever for shifting the same in a direction to close said valve, means cont-rollable by hand for shifting said bell crank lever in a direction to open said valve, a supporting disk mounted upon said gas pipe, a wheel encircling said gas pipe and resting upon said supporting disk, said wheel being provided with teeth extending partially into the path of travel of said bell cram: lever, an interference arm journaled adjacent said wheel and movable into en- '2 meat ith the teeth thereof to lock said Wheel and thus hold said valve open, and a thermostatic element mounted adjacent said burner and connected with said interference arm to shift said interference arm into and out of engagement with said toothed wheel, thus locking and releasing said toothed wheel.

2. In a device of the character described the combination with a gas burner, a pipe leading to said burner, and a valve for controlling the flow of gas through said pipe to said burner, of a bell crank lever connected with said valve, a spring connected with said bell crank lever for shifting said bell crank lever to close said valve, means controllable by hand for shifting said bell crank lever to open said valve, a wheel encircling said gas pipe and provided with teeth each having a substantially radial edge and a slanting edge, said teeth extending partially into the path of travel of said bell crank lever so as to enable said bell crank lever to engage the radial edge of one of said teeth and turn said wheel, an interference arm journaled adjacent said wheel and movable into engagement with the teeth thereof so that the radial edge of some one of said teeth lodges against said interference arm, thus locking said wheel and holding said valve open, and a thermostatic element mounted adjacent said burner and connected with said interference arm, to shift said interference arm into and out of engagement with said teeth of said wheel, thus locking and releasing said wheel.

3. In a device of a character described the combination with a gas burner, av gas pipe leading to said burner and a valve for controlling the flow of said gas through said pipe to said burner, of a bell crank lever connected with said valve, a spring connected with said bell crank lever for shifting said bell crank lever to close said valve, means controllable by hand for shifting said bell crank lever to open said valve, a wheel mounted upon said gas pipe and provided with teeth each having a substantially radial edge and a slanting edge, said teeth extending partially into the path of travel of said bell .crank lever so as to enable said bell crank lever to engage the radial edge of one of said teeth and turn said wheel, an interference arm journaled adjacent said wheel and movable into such position that the radial edge of some one of said teeth lodges against said interference arm, thus locking said wheel and holding said valve open, and a thermostatic element comprising a pair of thermostatic bars located uponopposite sides of said burner, both of said thermostatic bars being connected with said interference arm, for the purpose of shifting said interfer ence into ou f ngagement with I gas said teeth of said wheel, tln 'slocking and releasing said wheelf i 4-. In adevice of the character describedthe combination with a gas burner, a pipe leading to said burner, and a valve for controlling the flow of gas to said burner, of a bell crank lever con nected with said valve, a spring connected with said bell crank lever for shifting the same in a direction to close said valve, means controllable by hand for shifting said bell crank lever ina direction to open said valve, a supporting disk encircling said gas pipe, a wheel encircling said gas pipe and resting upon said supporting disk, said wheel being provided with teeth extending partially into the path of travel of said bell crank lever, each of said teeth being provided with a substantially radial, edge I and with a slanting edge, an interference arm journaled adjacent. said Wheel and inovable into engagement with the teeth T there? of for enabling some one of said teeth to lodge with its radial edge against said in terference arm thus. locking said wheel and holding said valve open, and a thermostatic element mounted ad acent said burner and connected with sa d interference arm, to

sma t shift said interference ar ninto and out of engagement with said toothed wheel, thus locking and releasing said toothed wheel.

5. In a device of the character described the combination with a gas burner, a pipe leading to said burner, and a valve for controlling the flow of gas through the said pipe to said burner, of a bell crank lever connected with said valve, a spring connected with said bell crank lever for shifting the same to close said valve, means controllable by hand for shifting said bell crank lever to open said valve, a toothed wheel journaled upon said pipe for lockingand releasing said bell crank lever, an interf ence arm for engaging and releasing an "lle l .,a a he ostati element consisting of a pair of thermostatic bars extend ng 120. 1 Opp s e sid f a burner andhotli connected with said interference arm, for the'purpose of shifting said interference arm into 'ai d out'of engagement it cc id ethed he Signed at Akron, in the county of Summit aid State of Ohio, this 12th day of January,

LOUIS HILL. 

